Dressing up in a costume, getting treats AND seeing animals all at once? Get your spot for Boo at the Zoo now before they’re all gone!
Scovill Zoo in Decatur is having its annual family-friendly Halloween event this year with some new guidelines in place
Halloween is happening folks, and here’s a fun way to enjoy it as a family! Scovill Zoo announced its “Boo at the Zoo” event this week and the new guidelines for the event are here, too.
The most important thing to note: you MUST register ahead of time for the time slot you’ll be there for, so don’t delay in heading over to their website and making a reservation.
What is Boo at the Zoo?
Get those costumes on and drive your kids over to the Scovill Zoo in Decatur for some socially distanced outdoor fun. Kids can roam the zoo in their costumes during special evening hours. When you register, you choose whether or not that person wants a treat bag so there are two different prices for the treat and non-treat options. Kids under age 2 are free (and do not receive a treat bag).
What measures are in place to make Boo at the Zoo a safe Halloween event?
The most important one is that reservations are required this year ahead of time; no payment will be taken at the actual event. This way they can manage the number of people in the zoo at one time and avoid long lines or people gathering at the entrances.
Treats are put together in a bag to hand to those who signed up for a treat bag and children won’t trick or treat at individual places throughout the zoo.
Guests are encouraged to follow social distancing and face covering guidelines while at the zoo. We do not know if the carousel, train and petting zoo will be open for this event yet or not. Bring your own water as water fountains are not in operation at this time.
How do I make my reservation for Boo at the Zoo?
Head over to the Boo at the Zoo website and click on “reserve your spot here“. You will need to put in the date range for the Boo at the Zoo event (October 16-31) to pull up the available times for registration. Reserve the appropriate number of spots, pay by credit card and check out.
When does Boo at the Zoo take place?
Boo at the Zoo runs from October 16-31 on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
- Thursday and Friday, October 16, 22, 23, 29 & 30, 5:30-8:00 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday, October 17, 18, 24 & 25, 3:00-8:00 p.m.
- Halloween, Saturday, October 31, 3:00-6:00 p.m.
Do any other zoos nearby have Boo at the Zoo events?
Head over to Bloomington for Miller Park Zoo’s “Spooktacular” which will take place over one weekend, Oct. 23-25. Timed tickets will be sold. Enjoy a semi-spooky hay rack ride, Gamma Phi circus performers, carousel and goodies bag upon exit.
The Saint Louis Zoo has Boo at the Zoo happening nightly October 16-30; advance tickets are required for this event, too. We can attest that the Saint Louis Zoo’s fall decorations are always pretty fantastic.
Indianapolis Zoo has ZooBoo complete with the PumpkinTown village, science demonstrations at Pumpkin School, and more.
Brookfield Zoo is choosing not to hold Boo at the Zoo this year (but they ARE open for Fall at the Zoo).
Lincoln Park Zoo isn’t holding Fall Fest but they are going to be decked out with pumpkin, corn husks and hay bales. There will also be a themed pumpkin walk (for $3 per person).
More Halloween in Central Illinois:
Champaign-Urbana Area Halloween Events and Activities | Farmer City Haunted Forest Moves Out of the Forest | Fright Fest Returns in 2020 | Pumpkin Patches, Corn Mazes, and Apple Picking in Champaign-Urbana and Beyond